Shaw and Crompton Parish Council Spring Festival.

Located in the Kershaw Street car Park, off Westway, Shaw town Centre.

The Facebook link is www.facebook.com/shawandcromptonfestival

Oldham Liberal Democrats are calling for rules on speed cameras to be changed to save lives.  Current rules require at least three separate collisions involving deaths or serious injuries to have occurred before they are even considered.

“These rules are out of date and a straight jacket that prevents the installation of speed cameras in many areas and as a result accidents are not prevented and lives can be lost,” stated Crompton Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Murphy.  “These regulations do not include non-injury incidents which it is estimated there are a 100 of for every injury or fatality meaning there could be 300 accidents before any action is considered.  We think this is just not good enough.”

“Road fatality rates are on the increase,” said councillor Murphy.  “This is why the rules need to be changed and we in the Liberal Democrats are proposing at the next Oldham Council meeting on the 16 March action to just do that.”

“It is also a scandal that only 40% of our existing speed cameras are actually working,” stated Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes who is seconding the proposal.  “It will be at least 18 months and I bet longer before the cameras we have are up and working.  I have raised this matter at Transport for Greater Manchester more than once.  In the meantime speedsters get away with it and lives are put at risk.”

“Our proposal include writing to the Greater Manchester safety Partnership and the National Government to changes their rules and guidance. That any existing cameras are made operation as soon as possible.  And in the interests of safety all residential streets are made 20mph,” stated councillor Murphy.

For further information:

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

As you may be aware, the Government has now removed the legal direction requiring the 10 Greater Manchester Local Authorities to implement a Category C Clean Air Zone, and has issued a new direction which requires compliance in the shortest possible time and by no later than 2026.

This follows representations made to the government and that the previous plan was now unworkable on the basis of supply chain issues for compliant vehicles, particularly vans, and a shift in economic circumstances, including an increase in the cost of living and inflation.

The lifting of the direction now means that the planned launch of the charging GM-wide Clean Air Zone will no longer go ahead on May 30.

Officers from TfGM and councils will now review the implications of the new direction and the scope of the work to be undertaken between now and July. 

The dramatic increase in fly tipping in specific hotspots across the Borough has resulted in a call for action by the Liberal Democrats on the Council, with a motion to the March meeting calling on the Council to show whether current measures are actually effective.

Shaw Councillor Hazel Gloster said: “This has got beyond a nuisance; there are criminal gangs who are taking advantage, in particular of the ‘grey market’ around house clearance, and it is local residents who are suffering.

“People from every part of the town suffer, and as these gangs look for isolated spots in which to tip the waste, it is often the most picturesque parts of the town that suffer.

“While the Council teams are very good at clearing fly-tipping once it is happened, we need to know that this is being stopped at source, both by successful prosecutions, and by information and education to make sure residents and businesses know what their rights and responsibilities are.”

As well as calling for an annual report that details the spending on all aspects of fly tipping, its causes and the effectiveness of the campaigns, it also calls on the Council to back changes to the legislation, making it easier to prosecute illegal tipping, and for money raised through prosecutions to go into cleaning up.

Saddleworth West and Lees Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani added: “At the moment, the fly tippers are taking advantage, and it is council tax payers who are picking up the bill. That needs to change, and the Council needs to demand that in response to the current national consultation on this.

“I want more powers to prosecute these gangs, and I want to make sure that they pick up as much of the bill for this as possible. Everyone in Oldham has seen the shameful mess that this causes, and they shouldn’t be forced to pick up the bill. Let’s make sure that the people who are causing it do.”

Following requests from residents it is proposed to prohibit waiting at all times on the east side of Smallbrook Road 55 metres north of Wrens Nest Avenue for 59 metres in a northerly direction.

Full details of the proposal are in the draft Order, which, together with a map and a statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing to make the Order may be examined between the hours of 8.40am and 5.00pm on Monday to Friday Civic Reception, telephone 0161 770 4836, Ref: LJM/20576

Any objection or representations regarding the proposal should be sent to the Environment Group Solicitor to the Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UL in writing, stating the title of the Order to which they relate and the grounds for making them by 21^st March 2022.  Any objections or representations will be made available for public inspection.

RE: Flood alleviation works -Dunwood Park and Smallbrook Road Debris screens  

I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd by the Environment Agency to undertake improvement works to the existing debris screen structures located off Smallbrook Road (Pencil Brook).

The works commenced on the  21^st February 2022 and expected to last approx. 8 weeks.

In order to gain safe access during the construction phase, a road closure will be in place from the 7^th March on Duchess Street. There will be no left turn access off Smallbrook Rd for all vehicles and pedestrians.

All vehicles including HGV’s will reroute via Cowie Street and turn right up Duchess Street to access the industrial estate and for residential access only. One way traffic will be suspended along Duchess Street.

Please be assured, suitable diversions will be put in place and clearly signed in agreement with OMBC.

Please refer to plan (see link below) for further details.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused during this time.  

Should you have any concerns in the meantime, please contact a member of our team via the public help

line detailed below:

HELP LINE CONTACT INFORMATION

Between the Hours of 08:00 to 1730: 0161 761 5109

Out of Hours Emergency Only Contact: (Lee) 07725 962330

Many people have been asking how they can help the desperate situation in the Ukraine. At present, the best way people can help is by donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal here.

The appeal, which was officially launched yesterday (Thursday) is officially backed by the UK Government, which is matching all donations made, up to £20m. The DEC’ brings together 15 leading aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently, getting help to where it is most needed.

While we know many people are keen to donate items of clothing and essential goods, this is being discouraged by many charities, some of which have already closed their collections, due to the logistical problems this can create.

The Government has also said that unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through. Donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, by comparison, gets help quickly to areas where it is needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. 

Following the horrific news of Russia invading Ukraine, Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes has written to Councillor Abdul Jabbar Oldham representative on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to ask that its pension fund divest any shareholding it may have in companies that have invested in Russia.

“In common with so many other local people, I am sickened by what is happening on the streets of Ukraine and our own pension fund should make its feelings clear by divesting any assets it may hold in companies with Russian investments,” stated Councillor Sykes.

“I believe our council’s pension fund should also take a stand, and if it does hold any shares in Russian companies – or those who have invested in Russia – to divest without delay.”

“I understand the need to ensure our pension scheme gets a good level of return for its members.  As such I am also of the view that our pension fund should be divesting from anything subject to sanctions as it risks that level of return.”

“Others have taken action – the Church of England is divesting its £20 million in shareholdings in Russian companies and BP is selling its 19.75% stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft, and Shell is divesting from Gazprom.  We should do the same,” added Councillor Sykes.

Shaw and Crompton Advice Surgeries (no appointment necessary) held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

March: 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.